Punyabarta Bhattacharya obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh, UK, in 1938. He specialized in poultry science, animal genetics, animal husbandry, and animal reproductive biology. He initiated the research on artificial insemination and introduced it on a countrywide basis. His highly acclaimed work was on the behavior of ring chromosomes in Drosophila melanogaster and on the control of ovulation in the cow by hormone treatment. He was Animal husbandry Commissioner to the Government of India. Dr. Bhattacharya was the recipient of the Spallanzani Medal by the International Society of Animal Reproduction and Artificial insemination.

Anil Kumar Ganguly obtained his DSc from the University of Calcutta in 1949. He specialized in environmental sciences, radiation physics, and chemistry. His outstanding work was on the base exchange behavior of homo-ionic clay salts. His significant contribution was his work on theoretical radiation chemistry. He addressed the problem of health and safety, siting of nuclear power reactors, and environmental problems. He was an authority on organo-metallic interactions in the marine environment. He was an IAEA representative to advise atomic energy agencies of several countries on setting up facilities for health and safety. Dr. Ganguly was awarded the Padma Shri in 1974.